By Jan. 1, Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to name a successor to Middlesex County Sheriff James V. DiPaola, who authorities say killed himself in a Maine hotel room in November after he came under scrutiny for planning to simultaneously collect a pension and salary.

The successor Patrick plans to name by the beginning of the new year will hold office until the next state election in 2012, according to reports from the Associated Press.

A spokesman from the governor's office said Tuesday that the announcement is expected to be made soon.

DiPaola won reelection as Middlesex County Sheriff in the Nov. 2 election, but announced his retirement on Nov. 22, effective Jan. 6, after the Boston Globe reported that he planned to exploit a loophole allowing him to collect a pension a drawing his sheriff's salary.

In a letter announcing his retirement, DiPaola wrote, "I made a black and white decision based on finances instead of my moral compass to run for re-election and to apply for retirement," Malden Patch reported.

Five days later, DiPaola, a Malden resident and former police officer, was found dead in a Wells, Maine, hotel from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, authorities said.

Currently, Special Sheriff John Granara is in charge of the Sheriff's Dept. and will remain in control until a replacement is named by the governor, according to officials in the department.